Rashford: My Move to Aston Villa is a "Great Opportunity" and "Emery is a Great Coach"

English player Marcus Rashford, who recently transferred to Aston Villa, admitted that the team's ambition was the key reason behind his decision to join them.

Rashford signed a 6-month loan contract with Aston Villa, with an option to buy from Manchester United at the end of the season.

In statements on the club's website, Rashford said: "It's an ambitious time for this club, and it's a great opportunity for me to join the team and help it continue moving forward. I'm excited, and I can't wait for the first training session and, of course, the first match... Unai Emery is a great coach, and what he's done at the club since he arrived at Villa is incredible."

He continued: "The ongoing ambition is what attracts you, and that's why you want to join such a club. You want to keep improving year after year, and that's what the team has been doing and is doing this year. It's a club in a good position in the league, striving to reach higher levels, still in the Champions League, with a good, ambitious manager and fantastic talent in the team."

Rashford added: "I had to choose a place where I feel my style of play suits them, and where I can help them and help myself rediscover my form and improve as a player. Obviously, my time here will only be short, so I want to make the most of my time here, and the only way to do that is by using my qualities and skill set to help the team."

Regarding his goals during his time at Villa, he said: "I think they're clear. Obviously, we're still in the Champions League, and we want to go as far as we can in this regard. If your goal isn't to win the competition, you'll never win it. That will be my main goal, and I will keep giving my best in the league to reach the highest possible level."

Villa, after earning 16 points in the group stage of the European competition, finished in eighth place in the standings, securing a direct path to the Round of 16 among Europe's elite clubs.

Rashford continued: "Clearly, it's the biggest competition any club participates in. I'm sure it will be a new experience for me, playing with Villa in the Champions League. It will always be a great moment, but the goals remain the same, which is to give our best effort to win it. I've played quite a few Champions League matches, so I feel I have the experience and know how to handle such situations."

He added: "But as I said, it's a new environment, a new team, new teammates, so it's about shared experiences and using each other's experiences to help navigate the game and hopefully continue winning."

Regarding what he can bring to the team, he concluded: "I know I'm capable of hurting other teams, and I know that when I'm playing at my best, I can decide football matches. That will be my ambition and my only goal—helping the team win more games, more points, and hopefully make history."